When I Grow Up, I wanna be a Folk Singer.......

[jimfog]

.....And I mean REAL Folk, not just the pop minor leagues. Not an "unplugged" rocker who can't afford a band.

I mean the kind of Folk that can sing "Kumbaya" without a trace of irony.

Everyone's rushing to be the next Radiohead, but who's going to be the next Steve Goodman?

[billfoma]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TybFyhlwdvU

[Rotten]

I think young Cat Stevens was one of the greatest, most expressive voices period.

[Stratofreak]

How about Ray LaMontagne?

I saw him last week with his band and they were great. But I saw him perform last year, solo acoustic at the Fox Theater in Atlanta and it was the most amazing, incredible musical experience of my lifetime.

One voice, one guitar and he had the entire place captivated! Definitely worth checking out!

It's not "Kumbaya", but here's a youtube clip of Ray at the Fox Theater show performing a Bee Gee's tune:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7py_aC191iU&feature=related

He's my favorite singer/songwriter out there!

[nmiller]

I would love to be in a band halfway between Peter, Paul & Mary and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Unfortunately, nobody else in their '20s seems interested in singing harmony anymore.

[cottoneyedjoe]

How about Ray LaMontagne?

I saw him last week with his band and they were great. But I saw him perform last year, solo acoustic at the Fox Theater in Atlanta and it was the most amazing, incredible musical experience of my lifetime.

One voice, one guitar and he had the entire place captivated! Definitely worth checking out!

It's not "Kumbaya", but here's a youtube clip of Ray at the Fox Theater show performing a Bee Gee's tune:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7py_aC191iU&feature=related

He's my favorite singer/songwriter out there!

I REALLY dig this! Thanks for turning me onto it!

[SGNick]

I'm hooked on early Donovan, 1965-1970. Where do you classify him?

[evermore]

I'm hooked on early Donovan, 1965-1970. Where do you classify him?

+1!!

[rhinocaster]

Ray is the real deal. The guy is amazing.

The thread title made me think of that joke:

"Mom, I decided that I want to grow up and be a guitar player."
"Oh honey, you know you can't do both."

[Stratofreak]

I REALLY dig this! Thanks for turning me onto it!


Glad you're diggin Ray!

Here's another clip from the same Fox Theater show. Ray explains how sometimes art get compromised then plays "You Are the Best Thing" as he had written it versus the album version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmKKN0tgQYE

What's truly amazing is just how different the two versions are! The album version is basically a great soul tune, but was written as a ballad!

BTW, Ray just released a new album, 'God Willin and the Creek Don't Rise'. It's his first self-produced effort. His previous 3 studio releases were produced by Ethan Johns.

Here's another clip of my favorite Ray tune 'Be Here Now' off of his 2nd release 'Till the Sun Turns Black'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBSnR4ZP2MI

Can't get enough Ray LaMontagne!

[musicofanatic5]

.....And I mean REAL Folk, not just the pop minor leagues. Not an "unplugged" rocker who can't afford a band.

I mean the kind of Folk that can sing "Kumbaya" without a trace of irony.

Everyone's rushing to be the next Radiohead, but who's going to be the next Steve Goodman?


Goodman could have never uttered a lyric, never strummed a single note, never charmed a single audience member with his stage presence and still have achieved godlike status strictly for his genius songwriting. John Prine, too.

Kumbaya? Gimme Pete Seeger for pure folky kumbuyaness.